Your next guitar?

[Ian B]

Nope, this guitar is a full LP body shape with a angled bridge bucker. Barring the pup it's not a million miles away from a Melody Maker/LP Junior. Thomann had the MM's listed at £280 but are seemingly no longer stocked. I'm more curious about this guitar than wanting it, but one things tends to lead to another doesn't it?

Must be a new model then, never seen one like you described.
Not a bad thing per se, all mahogany guitars have big
.

,
susiwong

I've had a good root about online and can't find this model listed anywhere, so it could well be a new model. I said the price was reasonable, but it was still more than I would have expected for a guitar like this, unless it has extras/better quality hardware to justify the price.

I've got to nip out tomorrow and if I get the chance I'll call in and ask about it, tho' I won't be buying, a new shower is wanted first.

Speaking of LP's, I like the look of these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Les-Paul-Jr-Doubl ... 30&afsrc=1

[susiwong]

Speaking of LP's, I like the look of these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Les-Paul-Jr-Doubl ... 30&afsrc=1

Dunno, much too expensive compared to the budget Gibsons I mentioned, or to the Wilkinson.
OK, the current Gibson Jrs are single cut, but does that put you off ?
And a few concrete issues with that kit :
-- best wood ? talk is cheap.
You'll find out when it's too late.
-- an ebony fretboard is not an upgrade per se, it changes the tone and feel considerably.
Many LP players including myself can't stand Customs for that very reason, others (mostly high gain players) actually prefer them. Your decision.
-- same for 12" radius and 6130 frets - fine if that's what you need, it won't feel like a Jr for sure.
Ymmv,
susiwong

Btw, Gordon Smith do some very good and affordable variations on that theme (not direct copies), made in Britain and customizable, give them a call.
Fine guitars !

[Hink]

Speaking of LP's, I like the look of these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Les-Paul-Jr-Doubl ... 30&afsrc=1

Dunno, much too expensive compared to the budget Gibsons I mentioned, or to the Wilkinson.
OK, the current Gibson Jrs are single cut, but does that put you off ?
And a few concrete issues with that kit :
-- best wood ? talk is cheap.
You'll find out when it's too late.
-- an ebony fretboard is not an upgrade per se, it changes the tone and feel considerably.
Many LP players including myself can't stand Customs for that very reason, others (mostly high gain players) actually prefer them. Your decision.
-- same for 12" radius and 6130 frets - fine if that's what you need, it won't feel like a Jr for sure.
Ymmv,
susiwong

Btw, Gordon Smith do some very good and affordable variations on that theme (not direct copies), made in Britain and customizable, give them a call.
Fine guitars !

I would have serious concerns buying that kit online from a company I don't know. My concern would be the accuracy of the maching, I would be all over it with verniers, my machinist scale and magnifying goggles (I have a bausch and laum set that have three different powered lenses...really great when doing electronic work) and I would still be worried.

[hibidy]

One thing about cheap guitars is they're a lot of fun to tweak. I'm having a hard time resisting the urge to turn hibidy's PRS SE from this:



into this:

Oooo! Project!

[susiwong]

One thing about cheap guitars is they're a lot of fun to tweak. I'm having a hard time resisting the urge to turn hibidy's PRS SE from this:



into this:

The creme PU rings and a cream switch tip would be a nice upgrade.
4 pots would be better, too, but it might well be impossible within reason.
Gold hardware ? Not really (imho).
And the Floyd ?
A PRS trem, no brainer.
A Wilkinson ? Maybe.
But a Floyd ?
Personally I'd leave this beauty stock (except for the plastic) and enjoy the easy string bending due to the stop tail, maybe even put on a bigger string gauge than usual. 11s should feel almost like 10s on a Std ...
The money you saved would be better spent on a set of good PUs and possibly an electronics upgrade imho.
For something different, try Duncan P-Rails, I love them on my Schecter.
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 17#3637817
Creme ones would look nice on that PRS, too.

Tastes differ, but you asked for opinions.
Ymmv,
susiwong

[Hink]

One thing about cheap guitars is they're a lot of fun to tweak. I'm having a hard time resisting the urge to turn hibidy's PRS SE from this:



into this:

The creme PU rings and a cream switch tip would be a nice upgrade.
4 pots would be better, too, but it might well be impossible within reason.
Gold hardware ? Not really (imho).
And the Floyd ?
A PRS trem, no brainer.
A Wilkinson ? Maybe.
But a Floyd ?
Personally I'd leave this beauty stock (except for the plastic) and enjoy the easy string bending due to the stop tail, maybe even put on a bigger string gauge than usual. 11s should feel almost like 10s on a Std ...
The money you saved would be better spent on a set of good PUs and possibly an electronics upgrade imho.
For something different, try Duncan P-Rails, I love them on my Schecter.
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 17#3637817
Creme ones would look nice on that PRS, too.

Tastes differ, but you asked for opinions.
Ymmv,
susiwong

without a Bridgeport at my disposal I do not think I would attempt a rose conversion. I did put a kahler in a tele body using hand tools and a drill but for that I wouldn't have to rout the back, I suppose if I had a decent plunge router I might try it but the machinist in me says 'milling machine'

They do have those milling tables (gives you more precise xy movement) that can go on a drill press, being wood that would be good enough and as I think about it I'm sure one could rent a small drill press and table cheap enough for the day

[Ian B]

I wasn't looking for another guitar, but a small shop has opened locally and in the window is a rather attractive Vintage guitar. LP shape with a single angled bridge pup, it looks very basic and has what I consider a reasonable price tag of just under £180.

I've tried to find it online for more info with no luck so far, I may have to call in for a closer look, with my wallet of course, just in case

The shop was shut today but I managed to get a closer look at it, not that it did me much good other than proving my observation skills would make me the worlds worst witness in a court of law

The pup is labled Wilkinson not Vintage and it's priced just under £170 not £180, but I couldn't quite make out what it said on the headstock. Besides the Vintage logo there's what appears to be the word Zip (?) tho' I may well be wrong about that, and a few more words.

[Hink]

I wasn't looking for another guitar, but a small shop has opened locally and in the window is a rather attractive Vintage guitar. LP shape with a single angled bridge pup, it looks very basic and has what I consider a reasonable price tag of just under £180.

I've tried to find it online for more info with no luck so far, I may have to call in for a closer look, with my wallet of course, just in case

The shop was shut today but I managed to get a closer look at it, not that it did me much good other than proving my observation skills would make me the worlds worst witness in a court of law

The pup is labled Wilkinson not Vintage and it's priced just under £170 not £180, but I couldn't quite make out what it said on the headstock. Besides the Vintage logo there's what appears to be the word Zip (?) tho' I may well be wrong about that, and a few more words.

there was a guitar company called Vantage guitars

[Hink]

http://www.dv247.com/guitars/vintage-vz ... low--35383

[Hink]

more search results

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=n ... uitars+zip

[Ian B]

Thanks Hink, I've just got back from googling and found it myself. Going by the prices I found, the one in the shop is grossly overpriced, nearly £100 dearer than some I saw online so I definitely won't be bothering.

[susiwong]

Good job, Hink !

One thing I don't like about the concept :
Like with a Nighthawk the shape of the PU rout limits your replacement options somewhat.
Mounting them in a pickguard with a universal kind of rout underneath would have been a better idea.
Yes, I understand it has 2 separate SCs, not a humbucker, but still ...
Ymmv,
susiwong

[Uncle E]

4 pots would be better, too, but it might well be impossible within reason.

I'm actually thinking of just ditching the tone pot and making them both volumes. A third pot would look sweet, though.

Gold hardware ? Not really (imho).

I'm planning to upgrade the bridge no matter what (the guitar sounds all plinky and thin acoustically, I'm hoping a solid brass bridge will make it more solid) but upgrading everything else is kind of a pain.

And the Floyd ?
A PRS trem, no brainer.
A Wilkinson ? Maybe.
But a Floyd ?

No, no Floyd, I was only referencing the color combo. Trems look weird to me on Les Paul-style guitars.

The money you saved would be better spent on a set of good PUs and possibly an electronics upgrade imho.

I'm thinking of getting an EJ Custom for the neck and a Breed for the bridge. If I do install a second volume pot, I may just put a 36th Anniversary PAF in the bridge instead since the may reason for the Breed is to get more output than from the neck pickup.

For something different, try Duncan P-Rails, I love them on my Schecter.

Love the concept but hate noise too much to ever use it split. That's why I'm interested in the EJ Custom, Humbucker from Hell, TV Jones, etc., since they have single coil-like vibes even before splitting.

[Uncle E]

That pickup is crazy! I can imagine mounting a Lil '59 on one side and a tele-type pickup in the other.

[susiwong]

4 pots would be better, too, but it might well be impossible within reason.

I'm actually thinking of just ditching the tone pot and making them both volumes. A third pot would look sweet, though.

Gold hardware ? Not really (imho).

I'm planning to upgrade the bridge no matter what (the guitar sounds all plinky and thin acoustically, I'm hoping a solid brass bridge will make it more solid) but upgrading everything else is kind of a pain.

And the Floyd ?
A PRS trem, no brainer.
A Wilkinson ? Maybe.
But a Floyd ?

No, no Floyd, I was only referencing the color combo. Trems look weird to me on Les Paul-style guitars.

The money you saved would be better spent on a set of good PUs and possibly an electronics upgrade imho.

I'm thinking of getting an EJ Custom for the neck and a Breed for the bridge. If I do install a second volume pot, I may just put a 36th Anniversary PAF in the bridge instead since the may reason for the Breed is to get more output than from the neck pickup.

For something different, try Duncan P-Rails, I love them on my Schecter.

Love the concept but hate noise too much to ever use it split. That's why I'm interested in the EJ Custom, Humbucker from Hell, TV Jones, etc., since they have single coil-like vibes even before splitting.

- Allright then, guess you have some good PU options in sight.
I always liked the HB From Hell, and the TV Jones PUs are sensational.
- For pots, have you looked at the stacked variety often seen on basses ? I have one of these in a Tele (vol, tone) and it's not hard to get used to at all.
- and about the plinky sound - this could well be the bridge, true.
My Jr (Badass) and Special (stop bar) are anything but not plinky , should be easy to borrow a tailpiece from a Gibson and try that, you can always get a good compensated one or a Tone Pros later.
Good luck, sounds like fun !
Cheers,
susiwong